An ultra-impressive Melbourne have taken care of Hawthorn with a minimum of fuss, cruising to a 43-point win at GIANTS Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
After a week where the blowtorch was applied to the Hawks, their performance will do nothing to deter Alastair Clarskon side’s detractors after another underwhelming performance.
Don’t take anything away from Melbourne though, who are quietly building nicely into the 2020 season after a rocky start.
It was an impressive afternoon for Sam Weideman too, who in his second game this year kicked three goals and was an imposing target up forward for the Dees.
Here’s everything you need to know!
Well done Melbourne.
— Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) July 19, 2020
You clearly deserved your win.
The star: Christian Petracca
There’s been plenty of debate this weekend about who the most improved player in the league is but on the basis on his performance on Sunday, Christian Petracca’s name has to be up there.
He’s now arguably Melbourne’s most important player alongside Max Gawn and stood out again as the Dees backed up their win over the Gold Coast last week with an impressive performance against the Hawks.
29 touches, three marks, 14 score involvements and a goal was another great return in what's quickly turning into a career-best year.
The injury: Hawks lose another big man
Hawthorn’s forward line injury issues continued, with big man Tim O’Brien going down with an ankle injury and finishing the afternoon on the bench on crutches.
Alastair Clarkson has plenty of headaches up forward as he looks to fill the void left first with Jonathan Patton’s absence and now O’Brien, who could face multiple weeks on the sidelines.
What’s next?
Hawthorn come up against an equally struggling Swans outfit at the SCG next Saturday in a match they’d be targeting as a genuinely winnable contest.
On the back of two consecutive wins, the Dees will take on the high-flying Lions at Metricon Stadium next Sunday night.
FULL SCORE
Hawthorn: 1.2, 2.3, 4.6, 7.6 (48)
Melbourne: 3.2, 7.3, 11.6, 14.7 (91)
BEST
Hawthorn: Sicily, Henderson, Day, O'Meara, Gunston
North Melbourne: Petracca, Oliver, Gawn, Viney, Hibberd, Weideman
GOALS
Hawthorn: Gunston 3, Wingard 2, Morris, O'Meara
Melbourne: Weideman 3, Fritsch 2, Hannan 2, Pickett 2
REPORTS
Hawthorn: nil
Melbourne: nil
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Tim O'Brien (ankle)
Melbourne: nil